You know what's really ironic? Somecallmejohnny did a review of the trilogy where he and many people he talked to about the games considered Sonic Advance 2 their favorite among the three.
Well, Advance 2 is a bit of a style-over-substance type of game, so it's not too surprising. Besides, It's not like the other two games are great anyways
Oliver Hurt I like it because there is just one game like that. Short, sweet and great when I want some mindless speed on the go. I like Adv 1 more, but I like Adv 2 more than Adv 3, Sonic 1, Rivals series, Gens 3DS and GameGear games.
Here's what I like: The introduction of Boost Mode, I actually think this is the best version of the boost, it's very exhilarating and it doesn't make the characters overpowered and invincible. Plus, the after images The mid air tricks and how they can be used as attacks,especially Sonic's “Tornado Kick" (what I call it) The dash attacks such as Sonic's slide attack and Cream's where Cheese circles around her. The introduction of Cream, Cheese and Vanilla. I don't know about Vanilla but Cream & Cheese are one/of my favorite characters in the Sonic series and I'm glad Sonic Team had the idea for her and her little Chao. Some of this game's ideas and concepts such as the ones I just mentioned should be used again, like the midair tricks and Boost Mode.
I do kinda prefer the Advance 2 boost to the modern one. But the problem with tricks is that they are situational and require springs to even work. I guess it's okay for a game with a lot of springs that doesn't let you do any action off of springs other than tricks, but otherwise it seems pointless.
“Getting a game over boots you back to Act 1” **looks at Sonic Mania where if you quit out of a level at Act 2 you have to redo Act 1 but it saves your life count**
You know what could've easily fixed the special stage issue? Making each Special Ring a try at the Emerald. You manage to collect four of them before hitting the goal? You get four shots incase you get booted out. You only find one? That's fine, just means you only get one shot.
I'd prefer if you needed to get 3 or 4 to enter the stage, all the others gave you extra chances, maybe getting all of them made them easier with a power up. So you still needed to explore but not so strict.
@@jexusdomel5194 The major problem with exploring in this game is that the level design generally does not permit it. There are _so_ many points of no return, boost panels and springs that lead to said PoNR, and bottomless pits that exploring is nigh-impossible unless you're playing as Knuckles, Tails or Cream. Which wouldn't be so bad on its own, if you didn't need to collect all the Emeralds as _all characters, _*_separately._*
@@K2niarDneK oh yeah, having to get them with all the characters is gone (I also thought maybe getting the rings just gives you the emerald with no special stage, then maybe getting with all the characters is a bit more acceptable), but the whole getting only some is to alleviate the PonR, I guess you think it's best to make it as approachable as possible which I can understand. (They could also just give you a map of the level, thats how I got them and tbh it was pretty fun, maybe it could be a reward for time trial medals?)
Yeah this sums up my thoughts on Sonic Advance 2. It has its gimmick of "going real fast" but doesn't make use of it. Instead it designs features that encourages players to do the opposite of what the game is programmed for. Its like if a platformer discouraged platforming element.. I can see players maybe getting something if they don't wanna bother collecting everything, but even then the level design is also contradicted by how many bottomless pits they throw at you and the fact you have to be on the top of the rail just to grind is very arbitrary. None of the characters can use any of their unique abilities, its simply just playing 5 different Sonic's unless you need Cream/Tails to fly for their SP Rings. The running bosses completely favor Cream's ability and everyone else is stuck with slowly pecking at them while having long ranged attacks thrown at you with characters that have barely any range. Its pretty bad that the game has fast paced speed, but contradicts it by having elements that keep you from going fast. And what are the player's rewards for completing the game? A Sound Test, Chao Garden and Amy Rose, y'know the exact same things Advance 1 had at the start? The fact the Emerald system doesn't apply to all characters by completing with one, but instead split into multiple characters was a horrible design choice. Its easily the worst Chaos Emerald system in a Sonic Game. Not a fan of this game.
I disagree with most things about the boss segment in this. I found these bosses fun to speedrun. Also I never thought the techno-base boss was bullcrap in difficulty. I don't think it's too much to handle at once. And finally, contextually I don't see how you have such an issue with THESE bosses when a lot of the ones in Sonic advance 1 weren't better designed. Remember Eggmann on a spring? I remember Eggman on a spring. (Although you're right in that the sky canyon one can die in a fire)
Exactly my thoughts, I found these bosses 100 billion times better than the ones in advance 1, instead of being boring, these asked more out of you. Honestly to me it felt like he was too salty about them, especially techno bases one, it really isn't that bad (one of the better ones imo). Fuck insta kill hand boss tho
Sonic Advance 2 is one of my favourite games but what i really hate about this game is that you must play the game again four more times with different characters to get the real ending.If it was optional i wouldn't mind but that's just a lazy excuse to make the game longer.
That's not nearly as bad as the horrors you have to endure in order to get the Chaos Emeralds, and the fact that you have to get them with Sonic to get the true ending.
Oh boy, from the intro I could already see where this was going. Even though, I disagree that the game is bad.(Probably, because I'm used to testing my own reflexes.) Nevertheless I can understand where you're coming from. At times it *can* be a bit too stressful and getting to Special Stages can be a pain, but I still love this game as far as it being Number 7 in my Top 10 Sonic Games list.(No, I don't have a video of it, just bringing it up. Might make it, though, when I start my own channel.) However, unpopular opinion here - Music Plant is my least favorite stage in the game as it goes completely against the main mechanics of the game, I feel like most people like it *just* for its aesthetics. Overall, solid review, just not the one I agree with. Can't wait for a review of my personal favorite in the trilogy - Sonic Advance 3.
Btw, good video. I personally get a kick out of the fast pace of the game, except for the fifth zone. Fuck Sky Canyon. No really. If I was a Sonic OC, I'd go right to Sky Canyon and fuck it so hard in the ass that it would WISH it were never programmed. XD In all seriousness, this game is decent. I do prefer how the Rush games went about its design philosophy, but for what Sonic Advance 2 is worth, it's fun especially on repeat playthroughs. It may be my least favorite in the trilogy, but I still play it once in a while.
Got this one when I was about 15/16 years old. I beat it and had a genuinely good time. And that comes from a guy who grew up with the Mega Drive trilogy. I actually beat Hot Crater blindfolded. I memorized the level design, memorized the music and the sound effects and played by only listening to the patterns of the music and sounds. It was only possible with Hot Crater because it was so painfully straight forward. The special stages though, they are something else. I couldn't be arsed to complete the game. Also, Sky Canion wasn't really that bad in my opinion (except for the boss, what were they thinking?) As for my favourite Sonic game. I'd say Generations. But Unleashed is a close second (I don't count the original trilogy)
Zayaan Nashrid that would make since. When gaming on the go you can’t play a game for an extended amount of time unless it’s a long car ride. So having a game that has you go fast and try to beat the levels as fast as you can would be ideal.
I like this game, but those chaos emeralds... ohhhhhh boy. Those were the absolute worst to get in this game. I got all of them and unlocked Amy. Never again. Just awful.
I really respect your opinions and enjoy hearing your critiques regardless of if I agree with them or not but I just wanna say I really loved Sonic Advance 1-3 maybe I'm biased though as I played them growing up a lot.
I really like this review, it's super fair and balanced and you get a lot of points across quickly. I wanted to pick up a new Sonic game for my Original DS (it's literally the only console I have now) As I've recently completed Classic Collection for the hundredth time was considering this one but might have a rethink after seeing this. Are there any GBA/Classic DS Sonic games you would recommend?
You actually made me look at a beloved childhood game in a hugely skeptical way, still love it mostly due to nostalgia but looking back I couldn't agree more. Especially damn Sky Canyon.
I agree with this review. A couple years ago I would have said this was one of my favorite Sonic games because it's so fast but I eventually realized it's so mindless, cheap and monotonous. I really enjoy the music and the final boss at least. Looking forward to Advance 3
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who hates this game. Honestly, you listed every single reason I hated this game. No disrespect to the people that like this game, of course, I just wasn't a fan of it (Despite somehow mustering up the willpower to 100% the game with all five characters).
Honestly. I really like Advance 2 and 3, for different reasons. I like the style of 2 but I love the depth of 3. 3 is my favorite, but I like 2 while understand why people do and don't like it.
Sonic Advance 2 has some good aspects (I mean it looks good, and the music is good) and some bad, but perhaps we can all agree that Batman TAS is awesome!
also it's ok my guy. As a 7 year old this game taught me to take care of my electronics because I hucked my GBA at the wall several times with sky canyon as a kid.
I love Advance 2, but I think the method of getting the Chaos Emeralds is a new level of trash. I've always hated Sonic's special stages. Every single variation is so freaking terrible, but in this game, just getting to them is a nightmare.
good for you, making this a honest review and not basing it on nostalgia or liking. I personally don't care about this game either, and it's nice to see a true review. when you do sonic advance 3, you should move on to sonic rivals before sonic rush
I haven't gotten far in the video I'll admit, but I wanna put my two cents in anyways. This is my favorite out of the advance trilogy because the sense of speed you get is honestly crazy. I will agree on sky canyon tho, that stage sucks. And I don't know what they were thinking with the special stages
Having played this game many times as a kid, I agree with you completely XD While the exhilarating speed is fun at first, Advance 2 quickly becomes a frustrating chore thanks to that great speed combined with baffling enemy placements, bottomless pits galore, and the bosses. And FUCK the Special Stage requirements! Those "Star Rings" are the bane of my existence lol That said, I will always appreciate Advance 2 for introducing Cream and having the plot centered more around her and Vanilla, not to mention that awesome true ending! If only the game itself was a much more fun, less frustrating to play lol But at least Cream didn't debut in Sonic 06 like Silver did, the poor bastard
This game is sort of a guilty pleasure of mine. I like the speed-based gameplay, but it's still a pretty bad game because of its level design. Also, the special stage requirements are annoying. This game is about speed, and those requirements interrupt that.
Watching your Angry Reviews makes my chest hurt and my throat clench up, my back neck starts to hurt The negative vibes hurt me, I barely survived X6 im scared now but I have to watch
Never got to a special stage when I owned this game. I HATED the way you have to get there. It one of the reason the Day stages from Unleashed were annoying. Going so goddamn fast while having to collect a bunch of shit isn't fun.
I actually tested that once - I went through the stages of Advance 2, and all individual stage always had less than 10, sometimes less than 5 occurrences of having to do anything other than holding right... this really _is_ where "hold right to win" became true. At least until later in the game, where it just becomes Dick Move City.
This is the lazy man's Sonic game, for when you want to go fast but not really pay attention. There's a lot of shit that Sega and Dimps did wrong (Special Stages, stage layout, bosses), but it's still one of my faves.
don't get me wrong, you really have a good point about complaining this game. but in my opininon, your whining just got too far as goes on. without it, it could have be such a great review like Exoparadigmgamer's Sonic 2 review.
Ok I just found this guy... I personally love this game, but what concerns me more is that he does positive reviews for games he didn't like?? wh... BE HONEST MY GUY!!
I don't know what you are talking about. But if it's in reference to this game...this review is a more negative take than the newer one, because I had more negative feelings on it once upon a time.
Honestly.... Advance 2 was my favorite from what I remember mostly because Amy wasn't in it. I hated her so damn much and Cream was at least a fun little easy mode I could pass off to my sister that I don't even remember 3 and have horrid memories of using Amy in the 1st one. But still I prefer the Rush series over the Advance series either way.
I enjoy occasionally picking this game up and playing though all the zones (I had it as a kid and played into the ground), despite the awful design. It's not a good game by any means, but it's fun to play when you've memorized every level to the badnik (god help my childhood)
I’m guessing the reason not many people complain about doing this game four times is because Advance 2 isn’t nearly as long as heroes plus I’m pretty sure more people played Heroes. I’ve honestly never played Advance 2. I don’t mind doing it 4 times in heroes but given that was the first sonic game I owned I might be biased
this game marks the start of a weird design mentality for sonic games and imo this one does it worst basically sonic games before gave you a reason to go fast more modern sonic games force you to go fast imo its really up to prefrence whether you like the former more or the latter but in this game you have to reaaally like that sense of speed in order to put up with the rest of the barebones level design
also am i the only one who thinks the trick system just sucks i hated it in rush as well but really i never liked how the trick system basically acts as quicktime events which i dont mind in the 3d games but in the 2d ones i just dont like it
I agree that the special stages aren't worth the effort needed to access them and Sky Canyon onwards being annoying as hell. To think that I used to view this as the best of the trilogy. By the way, what do you think is worse: 06 or Boom?
The special stages are not easy I don't know how you played the game but doing the special stages with the GameCube controller ( gameboy player ) is a nightmare
I like this game but what's stupid about this game you have to play sonic, tails, cream and knuckles by collecting 7 chaos emeralds to unlock the final zone.
Nintendo Power had a promo disc way back when that they sent to subscribers that showed a demo of Sonic advanced 2 as well as Sonic Mega collection which demonstrated the trick system of the game.
Also a personal theory of mine is that the control scheme from the trick system was based off Sonic's rail grinding from Sonic advanced 1 which needed to use the R trigger to use the rails. And about Amy becoming a blue Sonic i believe it involves updating Amy's moveset to match Sonic heroes where Amy gains more Sonic-like characteristics. Since the Advanced movesets are basically a fusion of all the previous Sonic games with Advanced 3 adding elements of Knuckles Chaotix with the team elements.
+J's Reviews I would like to mention that Advance 2 was developed and released during Heroes creation in fact was Cream designed for Heroes to give Amy a Fly Type Character and there just throw her in Advance 2 because that game was going to be finished much sooner reducing the amount of New Characters in Heroes back to 1 with Omega (4 if you count the Chaodix).
I disagree about the special stages in this game being easy, those stages were nightmares, trying to get to them is one thing but actually playing through it is torture
For anyone who wants to play a J's Reviews drinking game: Take a shot whenever he says or does the following things: - "the list goes on" - "more on that later/i'll get to that later" - he says ehh or meh or a similar obnoxious noise - "seriously, (mechanic/level design is bad)" - he is unreasonably critical of a game since he didn't grow up with it - "aaaaaaand this sucks" - an overuse of the phrase "anyway"
I'm surprised to see phoenix wright justice for all as your favorite, from what I had seen it's the one most commonly disliked in the original trilogy among fans
I'll never understand why people hate this game but love Sonic Rush. This game is actually fun and engaging. idk, I love the Advance series and feel like the hate on Advance 2 is just a bandwagon effect.
13:01 you’re one of the few reviews I’ve seen complain about a LACK of tutorials. I don’t mind them as long as I’m cabable to skip them. How do you think tutorials should be handled. I can see the argument both ways on one hand instruction manuals were very detailed during this era plus there’s the internet. On the other some prefer to have all info conveyed in game. What do you prefer
Funny thing is, most reviewers who complain about tutorials also complain about games not telling you how to play. I just want to know the rules in the game, I don't think outside resources need to be apart of the game, the game should convey the rules, or else it is not a fair challenge.
J's Reviews the only “critic” I’ve seen who does that is Egoraptor (he stated in the wind wakes playthrough he likes to find things out on his own despite the fact it took him half an hour and a google search to find the shield in said game). Personally as long as it isn’t something I could easily figure out on my own (for example nothing annoys me more than “use the left stick to move” or “press a to jump) and I can skip them for repeat play throughs or if I’m already familiar with the series. Edit: Would you count instruction manuals as “outside resources?” Because unless you get it used it’s a part of the game
I definitely consider the manual an outside resource. It makes sense why you’d be expected to look there. But Sonic Advance 2 is a game very mechanically simple to understand. So why have a move that is never technically explained mandatory for a jump? That’s why omachao was so good in Advance 3.
this was the first sonic game i ever played..... kinda. so as a little kid i was playing those flash games you can find on websites at school and there was a rip off of this game on the website i was using, the rip off was an exact copy of the game but without the story parts. that rip off was the game that got me into sonic LOL.
also i believe the stages were rearranged because the second stage for me was ice paradise. so that explains why i could never get past the second stage.
Maybe this game was my guilty pleasure... as a kid when I played this game I was pretty amazed by it & enjoyed it, while I won`t say that the game is outright mediocre, it doesn`t have exactly the kind of gameplay a Sonic game should have. 1st they don`t tell you about those air tricks, something you will NEED in Sky Canyon. I almost ragequitted the game because I had no idea what I`m supposed to do to NOT fall to my death in a bottomless pit. Other than that the other levels don`t exactly try to do something new with the stuff like air tricks & all kinds of abilities you have, it`s just run forward, jump, attack on enemies, pretty basic stuff. they don`t have enough difference or uniqueness other than aesthetics & a few little gimmicks. The game also focuses more style over substance, so maybe that`s why I liked this game as a naive kid. The level design just, doesn`t do the kind of things the classic games did, the kind of stuff that made those games feel epic. J explained it pretty nicely. I still kinda like this game but I realized that it`s level design was not... as good as a 2D Sonic game`s should be so it`s ok if you ask me. Tho I did like the boss battles, I don`t think there`s anything wrong with them for the most part. BTW I hate Sky Canyon. Just wanted to say it.
Not in the least bit! Advance 1 is 1000x better than this mess! At least, in Advance 1, you had to search the SP Springs to access the Special Stages! Meanwhile here? You f*cking have to search 7 SP Rings in order to access the Special Stages! Absolute garbage! Oh! And the level design here is worse than Advance 1's level design! Advance 1 had a level design faithful to the Mega Drive Classics which people really liked in it's day. Meanwhile here? You get an excesive amount of bottomless pits and a level design that doesn't match with the game's formula! Is this a speed game? Then why are you required to search 7 SP Rings in order to access the Special Stages? That's NOT the definition of a Speed game's level design!
I will always associate this game and 1 and 3 with Newgrounds. They ALWAYS use these sprites for Sonic games/videos
omg yeah lol
Newgrounds definitely used these sprites to better use.
Super Mario bros Z
@@d3-penguin954 I was just going to comment that.
I remember that!!!
You know what's really ironic? Somecallmejohnny did a review of the trilogy where he and many people he talked to about the games considered Sonic Advance 2 their favorite among the three.
Well, Advance 2 is a bit of a style-over-substance type of game, so it's not too surprising. Besides, It's not like the other two games are great anyways
Federico Porcel I'm not really fond of the Advance Trilogy anyways, in all honesty
Oliver Hurt I like it because there is just one game like that. Short, sweet and great when I want some mindless speed on the go.
I like Adv 1 more, but I like Adv 2 more than Adv 3, Sonic 1, Rivals series, Gens 3DS and GameGear games.
Gnidel fine with me.
Fuck the chaos emeralds, fuck the special stages, fuck the bosses, fuck rape canyon, fuck the save system, and fuck this game.
"City escape wasn't that great"
Let me go and cry for a while😭
Name_taken You know what? Your right! Thank you! I almost went on a pointless rampage!
the music is the only reason people find it good.
I love everything about the stage :(
Both the level and the music aren't great.
@@enlainletsplaysandgamedev6496 How was it rage game to you? I got through the game with no problem.
Cream is Breakenly Overpowered with her Chao attack, and I love it, she is basically the easy mode
More like the Normal Mode. The other Characters are the Hard Mode.
@@onile425 Sonic is pretty standard mode, I'd say. His air dash helps him catch up to bosses. Cream is easy mode.
Here's what I like:
The introduction of Boost Mode, I actually think this is the best version of the boost, it's very exhilarating and it doesn't make the characters overpowered and invincible. Plus, the after images
The mid air tricks and how they can be used as attacks,especially Sonic's “Tornado Kick" (what I call it)
The dash attacks such as Sonic's slide attack and Cream's where Cheese circles around her.
The introduction of Cream, Cheese and Vanilla. I don't know about Vanilla but Cream & Cheese are one/of my favorite characters in the Sonic series and I'm glad Sonic Team had the idea for her and her little Chao.
Some of this game's ideas and concepts such as the ones I just mentioned should be used again, like the midair tricks and Boost Mode.
I do kinda prefer the Advance 2 boost to the modern one. But the problem with tricks is that they are situational and require springs to even work. I guess it's okay for a game with a lot of springs that doesn't let you do any action off of springs other than tricks, but otherwise it seems pointless.
I never realized the ring counter was a.. speed meter. I thought it spun when you collected rings. That's actually sick
“Getting a game over boots you back to Act 1”
**looks at Sonic Mania where if you quit out of a level at Act 2 you have to redo Act 1 but it saves your life count**
You know what could've easily fixed the special stage issue? Making each Special Ring a try at the Emerald. You manage to collect four of them before hitting the goal? You get four shots incase you get booted out. You only find one? That's fine, just means you only get one shot.
I'd prefer if you needed to get 3 or 4 to enter the stage, all the others gave you extra chances, maybe getting all of them made them easier with a power up. So you still needed to explore but not so strict.
@@jexusdomel5194 The major problem with exploring in this game is that the level design generally does not permit it. There are _so_ many points of no return, boost panels and springs that lead to said PoNR, and bottomless pits that exploring is nigh-impossible unless you're playing as Knuckles, Tails or Cream.
Which wouldn't be so bad on its own, if you didn't need to collect all the Emeralds as _all characters, _*_separately._*
@@K2niarDneK oh yeah, having to get them with all the characters is gone (I also thought maybe getting the rings just gives you the emerald with no special stage, then maybe getting with all the characters is a bit more acceptable), but the whole getting only some is to alleviate the PonR, I guess you think it's best to make it as approachable as possible which I can understand. (They could also just give you a map of the level, thats how I got them and tbh it was pretty fun, maybe it could be a reward for time trial medals?)
I would have loved if you went to a special stage if you were fast enough when running to the goal
Things were never the same once Sonic entered the Down Hill Zone
Yeah this sums up my thoughts on Sonic Advance 2. It has its gimmick of "going real fast" but doesn't make use of it. Instead it designs features that encourages players to do the opposite of what the game is programmed for. Its like if a platformer discouraged platforming element.. I can see players maybe getting something if they don't wanna bother collecting everything, but even then the level design is also contradicted by how many bottomless pits they throw at you and the fact you have to be on the top of the rail just to grind is very arbitrary. None of the characters can use any of their unique abilities, its simply just playing 5 different Sonic's unless you need Cream/Tails to fly for their SP Rings. The running bosses completely favor Cream's ability and everyone else is stuck with slowly pecking at them while having long ranged attacks thrown at you with characters that have barely any range.
Its pretty bad that the game has fast paced speed, but contradicts it by having elements that keep you from going fast. And what are the player's rewards for completing the game? A Sound Test, Chao Garden and Amy Rose, y'know the exact same things Advance 1 had at the start? The fact the Emerald system doesn't apply to all characters by completing with one, but instead split into multiple characters was a horrible design choice. Its easily the worst Chaos Emerald system in a Sonic Game. Not a fan of this game.
I disagree with most things about the boss segment in this. I found these bosses fun to speedrun. Also I never thought the techno-base boss was bullcrap in difficulty. I don't think it's too much to handle at once.
And finally, contextually I don't see how you have such an issue with THESE bosses when a lot of the ones in Sonic advance 1 weren't better designed. Remember Eggmann on a spring? I remember Eggman on a spring. (Although you're right in that the sky canyon one can die in a fire)
Exactly my thoughts, I found these bosses 100 billion times better than the ones in advance 1, instead of being boring, these asked more out of you. Honestly to me it felt like he was too salty about them, especially techno bases one, it really isn't that bad (one of the better ones imo). Fuck insta kill hand boss tho
Sonic Advance 2 is one of my favourite games but what i really hate about this game is that you must play the game again four more times with different characters to get the real ending.If it was optional i wouldn't mind but that's just a lazy excuse to make the game longer.
That's not nearly as bad as the horrors you have to endure in order to get the Chaos Emeralds, and the fact that you have to get them with Sonic to get the true ending.
@@jballs5434 Yeah,that and the fact that you have to play the game 4 more times to unlock the true ending
@AndyW 813 Heroes is bearable
@AndyW 813 Yes, but in heroes you at least get get different cutscenes and it changes the level layout
Oh boy, from the intro I could already see where this was going. Even though, I disagree that the game is bad.(Probably, because I'm used to testing my own reflexes.) Nevertheless I can understand where you're coming from. At times it *can* be a bit too stressful and getting to Special Stages can be a pain, but I still love this game as far as it being Number 7 in my Top 10 Sonic Games list.(No, I don't have a video of it, just bringing it up. Might make it, though, when I start my own channel.) However, unpopular opinion here - Music Plant is my least favorite stage in the game as it goes completely against the main mechanics of the game, I feel like most people like it *just* for its aesthetics. Overall, solid review, just not the one I agree with. Can't wait for a review of my personal favorite in the trilogy - Sonic Advance 3.
I like music plant but agree with the rest of what you said
100% agreed.
This is my favourite Sonic handheld game, followed by Sonic Rush.
🎉 agreed 💯
"But isn't that what you ALWAYS DO?"
That voice sounds familiar. I just can't point my finger on who did that voice ;)
Btw, good video. I personally get a kick out of the fast pace of the game, except for the fifth zone. Fuck Sky Canyon. No really. If I was a Sonic OC, I'd go right to Sky Canyon and fuck it so hard in the ass that it would WISH it were never programmed. XD
In all seriousness, this game is decent. I do prefer how the Rush games went about its design philosophy, but for what Sonic Advance 2 is worth, it's fun especially on repeat playthroughs. It may be my least favorite in the trilogy, but I still play it once in a while.
Really, tho... who was it? ;)
I guessed it was you! :)
I was very relieved to FINALLY get all 7 chaos emeralds with Sonic, then I saw that I had to do it again, I gave up! You had to get 28 emeralds!!
Maaaan this one and SA3 were some of my favorite GBA games. It was so much fun
Advance 2 is actually my favorite. Gives me something to do when I finish my work in class
Got this one when I was about 15/16 years old. I beat it and had a genuinely good time. And that comes from a guy who grew up with the Mega Drive trilogy. I actually beat Hot Crater blindfolded. I memorized the level design, memorized the music and the sound effects and played by only listening to the patterns of the music and sounds. It was only possible with Hot Crater because it was so painfully straight forward. The special stages though, they are something else. I couldn't be arsed to complete the game. Also, Sky Canion wasn't really that bad in my opinion (except for the boss, what were they thinking?)
As for my favourite Sonic game. I'd say Generations. But Unleashed is a close second (I don't count the original trilogy)
I guess the going fast gimmick is more suitable for "On the go" gaming? I don't know man, I'm just trying to start a convo
Zayaan Nashrid that would make since. When gaming on the go you can’t play a game for an extended amount of time unless it’s a long car ride. So having a game that has you go fast and try to beat the levels as fast as you can would be ideal.
@@Gamermario-lb3rq Thats a good point
I like this game, but those chaos emeralds... ohhhhhh boy. Those were the absolute worst to get in this game.
I got all of them and unlocked Amy.
Never again. Just awful.
I really respect your opinions and enjoy hearing your critiques regardless of if I agree with them or not but I just wanna say I really loved Sonic Advance 1-3 maybe I'm biased though as I played them growing up a lot.
Yes you are
I really like this review, it's super fair and balanced and you get a lot of points across quickly. I wanted to pick up a new Sonic game for my Original DS (it's literally the only console I have now) As I've recently completed Classic Collection for the hundredth time was considering this one but might have a rethink after seeing this. Are there any GBA/Classic DS Sonic games you would recommend?
+Dragonfly Dreams Well the Sonic Advance trilogy and the sonic rush games and colors SS are all recommendable
Ah thanks, I remember hating Sonic Rush adventure but not played the others, think I'm going to start with this one then give SA3 a try
All characters have different sets of Emeralds in Sonic 3 & Knuckles, but the Special Stages were great, and they weren't required to finish the game.
You actually made me look at a beloved childhood game in a hugely skeptical way, still love it mostly due to nostalgia but looking back I couldn't agree more. Especially damn Sky Canyon.
I agree with this review. A couple years ago I would have said this was one of my favorite Sonic games because it's so fast but I eventually realized it's so mindless, cheap and monotonous. I really enjoy the music and the final boss at least. Looking forward to Advance 3
I however respect your opinion on this game and all that but I love this game especially Egg Utopia Zone and that stage is so cool.
Nice intro bro! I was like "Is this the wrong video!?"
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who hates this game. Honestly, you listed every single reason I hated this game. No disrespect to the people that like this game, of course, I just wasn't a fan of it (Despite somehow mustering up the willpower to 100% the game with all five characters).
Honestly. I really like Advance 2 and 3, for different reasons. I like the style of 2 but I love the depth of 3. 3 is my favorite, but I like 2 while understand why people do and don't like it.
Sonic Advance 2 has some good aspects (I mean it looks good, and the music is good) and some bad, but perhaps we can all agree that Batman TAS is awesome!
Egg Utopia Zone acts 1 and 2 slap too. Those are some of my favorite songs in the game
also it's ok my guy. As a 7 year old this game taught me to take care of my electronics because I hucked my GBA at the wall several times with sky canyon as a kid.
I love Advance 2, but I think the method of getting the Chaos Emeralds is a new level of trash. I've always hated Sonic's special stages. Every single variation is so freaking terrible, but in this game, just getting to them is a nightmare.
The Sky cannon take is valid. I was stuck there for months
good for you, making this a honest review and not basing it on nostalgia or liking. I personally don't care about this game either, and it's nice to see a true review.
when you do sonic advance 3, you should move on to sonic rivals before sonic rush
I haven't gotten far in the video I'll admit, but I wanna put my two cents in anyways. This is my favorite out of the advance trilogy because the sense of speed you get is honestly crazy. I will agree on sky canyon tho, that stage sucks. And I don't know what they were thinking with the special stages
I don't like it because I prefer gameplay over visual spectacle.
@@Mr.scooter-le8yoLuckily, Sonic Advance 2 is a game with deep gameplay and a high skill ceiling.
Having played this game many times as a kid, I agree with you completely XD While the exhilarating speed is fun at first, Advance 2 quickly becomes a frustrating chore thanks to that great speed combined with baffling enemy placements, bottomless pits galore, and the bosses. And FUCK the Special Stage requirements! Those "Star Rings" are the bane of my existence lol
That said, I will always appreciate Advance 2 for introducing Cream and having the plot centered more around her and Vanilla, not to mention that awesome true ending! If only the game itself was a much more fun, less frustrating to play lol But at least Cream didn't debut in Sonic 06 like Silver did, the poor bastard
Why can't they make a sonic mania game that is based on the sonic advance days!? That would be epic.
What's with these special stage requirements? What happened to jumping into a giant ring? Or entering via checkpoint?
This game is sort of a guilty pleasure of mine. I like the speed-based gameplay, but it's still a pretty bad game because of its level design. Also, the special stage requirements are annoying. This game is about speed, and those requirements interrupt that.
You got yourself a new subscriber. Nice work! ;)
Personally I didn't have that much trouble getting _to_ the special stages, but I could never beat one.
That skit in the beginning had me cracking up bro
Watching your Angry Reviews makes my chest hurt and my throat clench up, my back neck starts to hurt
The negative vibes hurt me, I barely survived X6 im scared now but I have to watch
Sorry?
Never got to a special stage when I owned this game. I HATED the way you have to get there. It one of the reason the Day stages from Unleashed were annoying. Going so goddamn fast while having to collect a bunch of shit isn't fun.
I actually tested that once - I went through the stages of Advance 2, and all individual stage always had less than 10, sometimes less than 5 occurrences of having to do anything other than holding right... this really _is_ where "hold right to win" became true. At least until later in the game, where it just becomes Dick Move City.
Getting the Special Medals are a pain in the ass, the bosses as well
really great review as usual man. can't wait to see your video on SA3
Wtf
@@KingK1421 That’s how I react to this comment because it’s too vague to get.
"The mysterious Mr J"
ohhhhhh
This is the lazy man's Sonic game, for when you want to go fast but not really pay attention. There's a lot of shit that Sega and Dimps did wrong (Special Stages, stage layout, bosses), but it's still one of my faves.
22:15 Can anyone please tell me what is the name of this song and where it is from?
I rented this game multiple times until I beat it as a kid, and I don't think I ever knew about the R button move until this video.
Jesus, this game is hideous.
I HATE how dickish the enemy placement in this game is
sonic advance 2 is the best 2D sonic game
*change my mind*
I just played sonic rush adventure and sonic advance 2 is so much worse in comparison.
honestly? it's nice to see a controversial opinion. i loved advance 2 the most out of the triology, but i believe all of these complaints are valid.
Zero 3 is a pretty damn good game
don't get me wrong, you really have a good point about complaining this game. but in my opininon, your whining just got too far as goes on.
without it, it could have be such a great review like Exoparadigmgamer's Sonic 2 review.
Ok I just found this guy... I personally love this game, but what concerns me more is that he does positive reviews for games he didn't like?? wh... BE HONEST MY GUY!!
I don't know what you are talking about. But if it's in reference to this game...this review is a more negative take than the newer one, because I had more negative feelings on it once upon a time.
Honestly.... Advance 2 was my favorite from what I remember mostly because Amy wasn't in it. I hated her so damn much and Cream was at least a fun little easy mode I could pass off to my sister that I don't even remember 3 and have horrid memories of using Amy in the 1st one. But still I prefer the Rush series over the Advance series either way.
Amy is in Advance 2 you need to get all chaos emeralds with every character to unlock her.
You know, your subscriber to view ratio is amazing
I enjoy occasionally picking this game up and playing though all the zones (I had it as a kid and played into the ground), despite the awful design. It's not a good game by any means, but it's fun to play when you've memorized every level to the badnik (god help my childhood)
Maybe the special stages in this game inspired the ones in Mania. Think about it. They both are a sudo 3d environment trying to collect stuff
Under those terms, that sounds like a majority of special stages.
I love the soundtrack of this game!
Honestly I liked this game
I’m guessing the reason not many people complain about doing this game four times is because Advance 2 isn’t nearly as long as heroes plus I’m pretty sure more people played Heroes. I’ve honestly never played Advance 2. I don’t mind doing it 4 times in heroes but given that was the first sonic game I owned I might be biased
I like Sonic Advance 1 better.
Thanks man!
I read this in Sonic's "I like running better" tone from SA2
this game marks the start of a weird design mentality for sonic games and imo this one does it worst basically sonic games before gave you a reason to go fast more modern sonic games force you to go fast imo its really up to prefrence whether you like the former more or the latter but in this game you have to reaaally like that sense of speed in order to put up with the rest of the barebones level design
also am i the only one who thinks the trick system just sucks i hated it in rush as well but really i never liked how the trick system basically acts as quicktime events which i dont mind in the 3d games but in the 2d ones i just dont like it
Actually all the stages were easy to me even the boss were easy to me
The R button tricks are in the manual.
That is if you have the manual, but if it's a pre-owned game, it might not have the manual.
Or maybe the game card has the manual in the game, I don't know yet, Im trying to decide I should buy it.
how dare you say city escape isnt great?!
Cuz it's a straight line
J's Reviews like in generations or the original
@@JsReviews Just because its linear dosent make them bad. The levels in crash bandicoot are a straight line but are they bad, no.
I agree that the special stages aren't worth the effort needed to access them and Sky Canyon onwards being annoying as hell. To think that I used to view this as the best of the trilogy. By the way, what do you think is worse: 06 or Boom?
+U1GX PS4 Probably Boom, I couldn't be bothered to finish that shiet
The special stages are not easy I don't know how you played the game but doing the special stages with the GameCube controller ( gameboy player ) is a nightmare
Sonic Advance 2 is Sonic Forces in 2D (not really but I needed to make a joke)
It’s kinda just that except actually difficulty
I like this game but what's stupid about this game you have to play sonic, tails, cream and knuckles by collecting 7 chaos emeralds to unlock the final zone.
Just with Sonic actually. You only need to collect the emeralds with all four characters to unlock Amy.
Nintendo Power had a promo disc way back when that they sent to subscribers that showed a demo of Sonic advanced 2 as well as Sonic Mega collection which demonstrated the trick system of the game.
+aliastheabnormal and I certainly didn't have that in 2013 so looks like I was screwed
Also a personal theory of mine is that the control scheme from the trick system was based off Sonic's rail grinding from Sonic advanced 1 which needed to use the R trigger to use the rails. And about Amy becoming a blue Sonic i believe it involves updating Amy's moveset to match Sonic heroes where Amy gains more Sonic-like characteristics. Since the Advanced movesets are basically a fusion of all the previous Sonic games with Advanced 3 adding elements of Knuckles Chaotix with the team elements.
+aliastheabnormal but Sonic Advance 2 came out before Heroes
+J's Reviews
I would like to mention that Advance 2 was developed and released during Heroes creation in fact was Cream designed for Heroes to give Amy a Fly Type Character and there just throw her in Advance 2 because that game was going to be finished much sooner reducing the amount of New Characters in Heroes back to 1 with Omega (4 if you count the Chaodix).
I disagree about the special stages in this game being easy, those stages were nightmares, trying to get to them is one thing but actually playing through it is torture
For anyone who wants to play a J's Reviews drinking game:
Take a shot whenever he says or does the following things:
- "the list goes on"
- "more on that later/i'll get to that later"
- he says ehh or meh or a similar obnoxious noise
- "seriously, (mechanic/level design is bad)"
- he is unreasonably critical of a game since he didn't grow up with it
- "aaaaaaand this sucks"
- an overuse of the phrase "anyway"
You know me well.
Games should be criticized like they didn't grow up with it.
Mega Man Zero 3 in the favorite games list 👍
can you do reviews on the rush games?
I'm surprised to see phoenix wright justice for all as your favorite, from what I had seen it's the one most commonly disliked in the original trilogy among fans
At the time, I had yet to play T&T, which is now my favorite. But still, I love every AA game I’ve played, PW, JFA, TNT, AJ, AAI, and AAI2
you havent played the 3DS games?
I'll never understand why people hate this game but love Sonic Rush. This game is actually fun and engaging. idk, I love the Advance series and feel like the hate on Advance 2 is just a bandwagon effect.
same.
Did I hear Phoenix Wright OST playing?
Oooooo!!!!! I forgot that sonic rush was a thing. That game was pretty niffty
Sonic 06 is one of my favorite sonic games
Biskut Same for me.
Sorry for my lack of knowledge, but what's the song at 16:07?
Hawk Boy Catherine Track 8.
@@JsReviews Thanks man :)
13:01 you’re one of the few reviews I’ve seen complain about a LACK of tutorials. I don’t mind them as long as I’m cabable to skip them. How do you think tutorials should be handled. I can see the argument both ways on one hand instruction manuals were very detailed during this era plus there’s the internet. On the other some prefer to have all info conveyed in game. What do you prefer
Funny thing is, most reviewers who complain about tutorials also complain about games not telling you how to play. I just want to know the rules in the game, I don't think outside resources need to be apart of the game, the game should convey the rules, or else it is not a fair challenge.
J's Reviews the only “critic” I’ve seen who does that is Egoraptor (he stated in the wind wakes playthrough he likes to find things out on his own despite the fact it took him half an hour and a google search to find the shield in said game). Personally as long as it isn’t something I could easily figure out on my own (for example nothing annoys me more than “use the left stick to move” or “press a to jump) and I can skip them for repeat play throughs or if I’m already familiar with the series.
Edit: Would you count instruction manuals as “outside resources?” Because unless you get it used it’s a part of the game
I definitely consider the manual an outside resource. It makes sense why you’d be expected to look there. But Sonic Advance 2 is a game very mechanically simple to understand. So why have a move that is never technically explained mandatory for a jump? That’s why omachao was so good in Advance 3.
I really liked this game lmao 🤷🏽♂️
A half of me loves SA2 because of its graphics, soundtrack and playable characters.
this was the first sonic game i ever played..... kinda. so as a little kid i was playing those flash games you can find on websites at school and there was a rip off of this game on the website i was using, the rip off was an exact copy of the game but without the story parts. that rip off was the game that got me into sonic LOL.
also i believe the stages were rearranged because the second stage for me was ice paradise. so that explains why i could never get past the second stage.
@@dontoverthink4766 UFS wasn't a rip-off. It was a fan game. Learn the difference.
Sky canyon isn't that bad.
How do yoi jump dash like that
What Batman episode is that intro from.
It’s the killing joke movie from 2016. Never saw it myself, outside of clips on TH-cam, like the one I used.
Does anyone know what the song that played at the end of the video was?
+Davvy baby baby Mega Man and Bass Credits
Getting some sonic CD vibes
Maybe this game was my guilty pleasure... as a kid when I played this game I was pretty amazed by it & enjoyed it, while I won`t say that the game is outright mediocre, it doesn`t have exactly the kind of gameplay a Sonic game should have. 1st they don`t tell you about those air tricks, something you will NEED in Sky Canyon. I almost ragequitted the game because I had no idea what I`m supposed to do to NOT fall to my death in a bottomless pit. Other than that the other levels don`t exactly try to do something new with the stuff like air tricks & all kinds of abilities you have, it`s just run forward, jump, attack on enemies, pretty basic stuff. they don`t have enough difference or uniqueness other than aesthetics & a few little gimmicks. The game also focuses more style over substance, so maybe that`s why I liked this game as a naive kid. The level design just, doesn`t do the kind of things the classic games did, the kind of stuff that made those games feel epic. J explained it pretty nicely. I still kinda like this game but I realized that it`s level design was not... as good as a 2D Sonic game`s should be so it`s ok if you ask me. Tho I did like the boss battles, I don`t think there`s anything wrong with them for the most part.
BTW I hate Sky Canyon. Just wanted to say it.
What is the song at 15:40?
Sonic advanced two is wayyyyyyy better than advanced 1
It looks better, that's about it
Not in the least bit! Advance 1 is 1000x better than this mess! At least, in Advance 1, you had to search the SP Springs to access the Special Stages! Meanwhile here? You f*cking have to search 7 SP Rings in order to access the Special Stages! Absolute garbage! Oh! And the level design here is worse than Advance 1's level design! Advance 1 had a level design faithful to the Mega Drive Classics which people really liked in it's day. Meanwhile here? You get an excesive amount of bottomless pits and a level design that doesn't match with the game's formula! Is this a speed game? Then why are you required to search 7 SP Rings in order to access the Special Stages? That's NOT the definition of a Speed game's level design!
@@JoseGregorioValeroVillarroelSkill issue
This game is good for what it’s worth
Одна из моих любимых игр про соника)
Nice video
Sky cannon.... *Sigh* Ya know...That's why i still don't cleared this game...at all